Have your clothing chosen way in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do you imagine the family photos should look like? We recommend that you choose coordinating colors (however do not match) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents.
http://www.michaellagman.com/blog/2014/7/what-to-wear-for-a-family-photoshoot-1
A well-rested and well fed family is a happy family. Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. The best time for lighting is the two hours before sunset and after sunrise. If this is a bad time for your children, let us know, we will adjust to your schedule. Also, be sure to give everyone a healthy snack before and during the photo shoot.
Arrive early so that it gives everyone some time to familiarize themselves with the locations. Often we find moms are making sure that their family is dressed and ready, we want you to arrive without any stress. Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo session rushed and disorganized, the photos may not have the look you want. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door and plan for parking and traffic.
It is a fact that many dads dread the family photo session, but fathers, please understand how important capturing your family is. These images will be left as a legacy, family photos are treasured forever and they are so important.
Don’t be afraid to Have fun, we do! Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. We want to capture the emotion and the beauty of your family. Being stiff is unnatural and we don't like that look. Show us who you really are! Props are fun and they are engaging, bring balloons, wagon, stuffed toys, blankets.
The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is engaged or interacting with each other. If you are engaged as a family, your eyes will be on your family members and the smiles with be natural.